AWW 21st September 2016: Two Soft plus One Stiff Peak

 

Text verbatim by the Leader, Frank McEwan

AWW: 21^st September 2016: Location –Bordeira - Estoi:

Two Soft plus One Stiff Peak

(Baking definition of difficulty: and temperature on walk)

Walk.

17 x 2 legged walkers plus 4 x 4 legged walkers met in the square beside the church in Estoi in the Far East of the Algarve. This was the planned end of the walk: so we shared cars up to the start at Quintas das Raposeiras. This was to be the first one-way walk of the season, instead of the more usual circular routes.

They were generally an unruly group of walkers and camera shy. We only caught 12 in the starting photo. David was excused as he took it. Those who were missing had various excuses: the most original was: one had no socks: how can a Brit be out in the sun with sandals but no socks? He was away hunting / borrowing a pair to fit.

So off we went, through the hedge and up to the first soft peak at Monte de Murta. There were great views down to the coast to the south and to Sao Romeo to the north. This was the first of the day’s photo opportunity at a trig point. However the leader had no control and they all said it was too “scratchy” to go to the base of the trig point. So instead, David took this photo of a man with no legs, shouting at people about the photo opportunity, but with absolutely no success.

Off we went again, keeping to the ridge as much as possible. As we crossed the Bordeira road we lost 3 plus a dog, as Miriam and her friends had decided that one soft peak was sufficient.

And then there was 14.

Up towards the 2^nd trig point where the ladies found a location for a photo opportunity that did not involve trudging through the scratchy bits:

And the leader managed to get a photo of the group: but minus David who had been considering climbing the trig point in the background

Now comes the easy bit from an elevation of ~350m at the trig point down the valley to the N2 road at ~110m elevation. Part way down we came upon a meadow dotted with trees and stopped for lunch. It was hot.

After crossing the N2, the group split: the “foolish 8” deciding to take the “high” road to the trig point just north of Estoi, and the “sensible 6” taking the “low” road around the hill.

It was hard and warm on the road to the top. However we all put a smile on for the photo; but as you look at the dogs hiding in the shade in the background you can see how we really felt.

The last of our water was consumed.

Then it was down the hill all the way into Estoi.

Technical Data.

As normal there was disagreement about most things:

Distance – somewhere between 16.0- 17.2km depending on device and software. However as leader I get to decide that it was only 16.0km.

Ascent – 574m

Descent – 807m (so it was easy)

Time - 4 1/2 hours

Temperature –hot.

Max Elevation 373m (second soft peak was highest elevation)

Min elevation 97m (Estoi)

Calories – 967 (it felt like it should be more)-2100 (hopeful)